TMTPOST -- Apple   Inc.   is expected to   massively produce   its   first   foldable smartphone next year, and shipments   could reach several   million   units   the following   year, according   to   Ming-Chi   Kuo, a reliable Apple analyst who is well-known for his accurate predictions over a decade.

Credit：Ming-Chi Kuo's Post

Apple ’ s foldable iPhone   is expected to have   premium pricing and enter mass production in the second half of 2026, and its   assembly supplier Foxconn   is   projected to officially kick off the project in late   third quarter or early fourth quarter of this year,   Kuo said in a post on X on Wednesday.  

Kuo revealed many component   specifications,   including those of   the closely-watched   hinge,   have not been finalized   yet, while   the   foldable display   is one   of the few   components   with   finalized   specifications. Therefore, the display can   be used as a good reference to estimate   potential shipments.   Samsung   Display, the   supplier, plans to   make 7 to 8 million foldable panels for the   year 2026, said the TF Inernational Securities analyst.

Kuo   cited recent market rumors   that   Apple has placed an order for 15 million to 20 million foldable iPhones, and noted   based on checks across multiple components,   the   volume likely   reflects   the cumulative demand   over the   product ’ s   two-three year   lifecycle, instead of demand for the year 2026   alone. Kuo then   believed the possible demand   indicates that Apple ’ s foldable iPhone   "may ship several million units annually in both 2027 and 2028, possibly due to its premium pricing."

iPhone makes up over half of Apple ’ s business and remains an incredibly profitable product, accounting for $201 billion in sales in the company ’ s fiscal year 2024   ended   on   September 28,   2024.   Rumors of   the   foldable iPhone swirled as   iPhone revenue peaked in 2022, which forced   Apple   to explore ways to attract new customers and convince its current customers to upgrade to more expensive devices.

it was said in January   that Apple is finalizing its supply chain ’ s main contractor for a   folding screen, and is   anticipated to make a   decision by the end of February   to the beginning of April. An online   source at Chinese social media Weibo   said   in February that Apple ’ s large folding, 5.49-inch outer screen   for the   foldable iPhone is a   bit   like the Otto ’ s Find N, but is   shorter and   fatter,   and the 7.74-inch   inner screen unfolds like   an iPad.

Kuo   in a post in March said Apple is expected to set the   retail price for its   first-generation foldable   iPhone   above $2,000 and   $2,500.   The foldable iPhone   will measure 9 – 9.5mm thick when folded and 4.5 – 4.8mm when unfolded, and   have a book-style design, featuring an approximately 7.8-inch crease-free inner display and an approximately 5.5-inch outer display,   according to Kuo. Another visible changes   for the   device is that   Touch ID returns as a side button, as Face ID may be absent due to thickness and internal space constraints, per Kuo.   The   analyst   said the   rear camera of the device   features a dual-lens setup, with one front-facing camera available in both folded and unfolded states. He added   that the foldable iPhone will be equipped   with the hinge   combining   stainless and titanium alloy,   and powered by the same   high-density battery cells   as   the ultra-thin   iPhone 17.